Filler feed and charge former for cigar machines



arch 31, 1M2. v. J. WAHLSTROM FILLER FEED AND CHARGE FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June 11, 1938' 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR VER NER J. WAH LSTROM ATTORNEY March 31, 1942. v. J. wAHLsTRoM 2,277,732

FILLER FEED AND CHARGE FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES s Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1938 !NVENTOR VERNER J.WAHL.STROM Maa 'ch 31 194 v. J. WAHLSTROMQ FILLER FEED AND CHARGE FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June l] 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 -|NVENTOR VERNER J.WAH STROM BW ATTORNEY March 31, 1942. v J WAHLSTRQM I 2,277,732"

FILLER FEED AND CHARGE FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES I Filed June 11, 1938 6 Sheetsl-Sheet 4 FIIG.41

' INVENTOR VERER JWAHTRQM ATTORNEY March 31, 1942. v. J. WAHLSTROM 2,277,732

' FILLER AND CHARGE FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June 11, 1938 e Sheets-Sheet 5 .Fl6.6 v Fl6.;7

INVENTOR VER ER J.W H STROM ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 31 1.942

FEQE

FILLER FEED AND CHARGE FORMER FOR CIGAR ll/IACHINES Application June 11, 1938, Serial No. 213,154

18 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar machines and more particularly to improvements in filler feeding and bunch charge forming mechanism.

In feeding filler tobacco it is desirable to so advance the tobacco entering the machine that it will be substantially uniform in density and cross-section at the point where bunch charges are cut therefrom. Due to the nature of tobacco, especially with the long filler type, there is always a possible lack of uniformity both in cross-section and density of the layer of tobacco being fed. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide improved mechanism for feeding filler tobacco to a bunch charge forming device and provide means for operating upon the tobacco being fed to insure the formation of more uniform bunch charges than have heretofore been obtainable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved mechanism for exerting a positive yielding force upon the tobacco leaves comprising the layer of tobacco being advanced to a charge forming mechanism, and compact it so that it is reduced to substantially uniform cross-section and density prior to cutting of 3 bunch lengths of tobacco therefrom.

It is also an object of this invention to provide means for compressing the layer of tobacco vertically, and for compressing bunch lengths cut therefrom laterally in order to form a supply of long filler tobacco substantially free of unwanted voids.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a measuring plate coacting with a bunch length cutting device for applying yielding presi sure over the advance portion of the layer of filler tobacco during the cutting of a bunch length therefrom.

It is an additional object of the invention to form bunch charges of tobacco wherein a layer of tobacco is compressed to a predetermined density as it is advanced; to cut bunch lengths therefrom and raise said lengths into a vertical column, to compress the column laterally, after which means operate for severing from the compressed column of tobacco thus formed individual bunch charges suitable for forming a single cigar bunch.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a magazine and means for buildingup therein a vertical column of tobacco which is compressed both vertically and laterally so as to build the column to substantially uniform cross-section and density, and to provide means for separating and removing suitable bunch charges from said column without disturbing the tobacco which constitutes the balance thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to form a laminated column of tobacco by raising successive cut bunch lengths of tobacco severed from an advancing layer, compress the column vertically and horizontally to desired cross-section and density, and then remove bunch charges therefrom by means of a member which moves between the laminations of said column.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a magazine, means for cutting a succession of bunch lengths of tobacco from an advancing layer and raising them in laminated relation in said magazine to form a column and then removing bunch charges from said magazine.

The invention further consists of a magazine, means for cutting a succession of bunch lengths of tobacco from an advancing layer and raising them in laminated relation to said magazine to form a column, and a knife movable at right angles to the vertical axis of said column to cut bunch charges therefrom and means for oscillating said knife during its movement.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which like numerals designate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a partial side elevation of the improved filler feed and charge forming mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the filler feeding and charge forming mechanisms;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the charge side compressing members, the knife and reaper mechanism and the charge transfer unit;

Fig. 3a is an end elevation of a portion of the slide. actuating means shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of Fig. 3, parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the charge cutting unit taken from line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6-11, inclusive, illustrate the successive steps of operation from the time the tobacco is loaded onto an elevator until it is cut and delivered into a transfer, transporting the charge which constitutes the filler for one cigar, to the rolling apron of the machine;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the modified means for compressing the tobacco constituting the filler charge; and

Fig. 13 is an end view of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings, the filler tobacco 'I is placed in the filler feeding channel formed by the horizontal feed belt l5 and two vertical feed belts, l6 and 11, this channel forming a cigar filler feed of the type disclosed in the patent to Bronander No. 1,740,571, granted December 24, 1929. The horizontal belt !5 is supported by rollers l8, I9, and 2| and also by an idler pulley (not shown) at the other end of the belt. The above mentioned belts which form the feeding channel for the filler tobacco are intermittently driven by suitable means similar to those shown in said patent. Therefore, in the interest of brevity a more detailed showing and description is deemed unnecessary.

The filler tobacco T progressively placed in the channel formed by the belts l5, l6 and I1 is intermittently advanced and passes under a leaf guide plate 22 and a compactor plate 23 on which the leaf guide is hinged. During a dwell in its forward motion, the filler tobacco is subjected to the action of the leaf guide 22 and compactor plate 23, the latter pressing it together to give it SlllTlClBllt body to sustain the subsequent operations. The compactor plate 23 is attached to a pressure foot 24 loosely mounted on a hub 25 projecting downwardly from a head 25 secured to a stud 2'! fastened in a cam actuated slide 28. The slide 28 is mounted in a track of pedestal 29, and is moved up and down by a cam lever 30 (Fig. 3) fulcrumed on a shaft 3| and controlled by a cam 32 on shaft 33 having a cam track 34 engaging a follower 35. Cam lever 36 by means of an adjustable rod 36 (Figs. 1 and 3a) connects to a hub 31 of an arm 38 pivotally mounted on a stud 39 supported in a bearing 48 of pedestal 29, the other end of arm 38 being provided with an open slot engaging an actuator stud 41 secured in the slide 28. The adjustability of rod 36 is provided by the threaded connection of the upper end of the rod to the socket 36a (Figs. 1 and 3a) and the reversely threaded connection of the lower end of the rod to socket'35b (Fig. 3a) whereby the rod may be turned in sockets 36a and 36b to vary its effective length so that the height of compactor 23 and thereby the resulting density of the filler charge, may be regulated.

Th compactor 23 is resiliently mounted so that it will yield upwardly if a hard portion of tobacco should be encountered thereby, thus preventing damage to its cooperating members. This object is accomplished by providing the lower end of hub 25 with a counterbored portion 42 adapted to receive one end of a compression spring 43 and having its other end bearing against compactor plate 23. When slide 28 and its attached head 26 descend, the compactor 23 is depressed by means of spring 43 which is sturdy enough to normally advance the compactor against the filler mass T and compress the same to its desired density. If however, a hard spot should be concealed in the filler layer, the compactor will descend until the density of the filler mass overcomes the tension of spring 43 thereby permitting head 26 and its hub 25 to continue to descend, compactor 23, in the meantime, retaining its position on the filler mass, allowing the slotted portion 44 of hub 25 to pass freely over stud 45 of pressure foot 24. The slot 44 is provided to prevent turning or shifting of pressure foot 24 and its integral member 23, and to limit its upward movement.

The hinged leaf guide 22 is suspended from a link 46 connected to one end of an arm 41, the other end of which is fixed on a pivot shaft 48 carried by head 26. An arm 49 also fixed on shaft 48, at its other end is equipped with a roller 56 adapted to engage the surface 5| of a trip arm 52, the engagement of roller 56 with surface 5| resulting in the lifting of arm 49, thus turning shaft 48 causing arm 41 and the leaf guide 22 to be moved downwardly. In this manner, the cam 32 While actuating the compactor 23 also actuates the leaf guide 22 to cause it to press down the upturned leading ends of any curled leaves before they reach the compactor.

The trip arm 52 is inserted into an arcuate slot 53 provided in pedestal 29, said slotted portion supporting a stud 54 on which said arm is loosely mounted. An adjustable screw 55 at the upper end of arm 52, is provided to govern the positioning of the arm and when correctly set it is normally held against the base of slot 53 by the action of a spring 56 bearing against a plunger 5! which in turn rests against the lower end of arm 52. This mode of mounting arm 52 constitutes a safety device for the leaf guide 22, since according to the described arrangement if it should encounter a hard portion in the filler layer when depressed thereagainst, roller 50, nevertheless, continues to descend and forces the trip arm 52 inwardly against the pressure of spring 56, thereby stopping the downward movement of the leaf guide 22 and preventing damage to its operating members. A spring 58 inserted into an aperture in pressure foot 24 presses against a plunger 59 thus holding its upper end in engagement with a projecting lug 60 of arm 47, and in this manner the spring actuated plunger normally holds the arm in its up-position against a stop screw 6| provided in lug 62 of head 26.

The cam 32 while actuating the leaf guide 22 and compactor 23 also actuates the corrugated cutter plate 65 and a measuring plate 66 causing the same to compress the filler layer overlying the corrugated cutter 6'! and a cam actuated elevator 68. The corrugated cutter plate 65 is suitably fastened to a lug 69 projecting from slide 28 and, the measuring plate 66 is attached to a rod 16 and guided by a pair of rods H and I2. Loosely mounted in arm 13 integral with the slide 28 (see Fig. 1). Corrugated cutter 61 is attached to elevator 68 adjustably fastened to a bracket 14 integral with a slide 15 mounted in a track of pedestal 29 secured to a table 16 of the machine. Slide I5 is moved up and down by a cam lever 1'! (Fig. 3) fulcrumed on a shaft 18 and controlled by a cam 32 on shaft 33 having a cam track 19 engaging a roller 80. The cam lever T! by means of a rod 8| connects to a head 82 (Fig. 1) pivotally mounted on a stud 83 secured to the slide T5.

The elevator 68 is adjustably attached to bracket 14 to permit means for setting and aligning the corrugated cutter 61 correctly with respect to the cutter plate 65. This is accomplished by mounting an intermediate plate 84 between members 68 and 14, plate 84 at its top being provided with a slot which together with a like slot in the base of elevator 68 receives a bar 85 having a clearance hole 86 permitting adjustment of the corrugated cutter in a sidewise direction. The base of plate 84 has a slot running transversely of its upper slot which, together with a corresponding slot in the top of bracket 14 receives a bar 81 of the same cross section as bar 85, permitting a lengthwise adjustment of the cutter. When the adjustment of the cutter and cutter plate is completed, the setting is maintained by the tightening of a clamp bolt 88 which is smaller in diameter than hole 88a formed in bracket I4 and plate 84 in order to allow the necessary adjustments to be made.

The measuring plate 66 is weighted by a member 90 placed at the upper end of rod 10, which biases the members 10-456 downward and thereby modulates the action of the same in the compressing of the filler column to its desired density. The plate is also yieldable by means of a spring 9I arrested between said plate and arm I3, so that the spring will be compressed when the elevator 68 ascends and also lifts plate 66 during the cutting operation of corrugated knives 65, 61, and which will be presently described.

At the completion of the compressing operation the corrugated cutter plate 65 retains its position and, the slide 15 by means of cam 32 is raised, thereby lifting the elevator and permitting the corrugated cutter 61 to sever a bunch length from the filler and add it to the tobacco lengths held in the magazine between plate 66 and elevator 68 to form a column composed of a plurality of laminated bunch lengths. The elevator in rising also lifts the plate 66 whereby the filler section is held compressed during the cutting operation, thus assuring a uniform and clean cut of the same. The elevator dwells in this position in readiness to be acted upon by a pair of side compressing members, the purpose of which will be presently described, and, the cutter plate 65 is lifted sufliciently to clear the filler charge, during the ascent of the cutter plate, the corrugated pig-tails of the severed length being held in orderly fashion by the corrugated end of plate 66. The plate 66 retains its position with respect to elevator 68 until the cutter plate 65 moves upward, when plate 66 also moves upward against the compression of spring 9 I. Referring to Fig. 6, the elevator 58 is shown in its loading position with the tobacco layer feeding forward through the feed channel and with plate 66 compressing the filler T in a vertical direction. The elevator next ascends to the position shown in Fig. '7 where tobacco forming the laminated layer column is compressed to substantially uniform density between elevator 68 and plate 65. In approaching this position, a filler length has been severed by means of knives 65, 51, from the filler layer as heretofore mentioned. During the dwell of elevator 68, a pair of cam actuated side compressor arms 95 and 96 are moved from their open position seen in Fig. 6, inwardly against the filler T and compress the same in a horizontal direction. By compressing the filler charge in a vertical and horizontal direction, any holes or thin portions in the charge will be filled, because of the compaction it has undergone, which results in the formation of a more uniform filler than has heretofore been produced.

The arms 95 and 96, are mounted for movement to and from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3 and l, the arms are pivoted on studs 91 and 88, respectively, which extend from pedestal 29. Each of the arms have short horizontal arms 99 connected to a stud I supported in a head IUI attached to the upper end of a rod IIlZ. Rod IE2 at its lower end connects to an arm I03 of cam lever I64 which is fulcrumed on shaft 3! and controlled by a cam I on shaft 33 having a cam track I06 engaging a roller I07.

After the horizontal compressing of the filler charge, the cam I65 actuates the rod I02 thus swinging arms and 96 to their open position as seen in Fig. 8, the arms remaining motionless during the remaining cycle of the machine. The cam actuated elevator 68, plate 66 and cutter plate 65, then rise to their uppermost position and in this position, (see Figs. 811, inclusive) the filler charge which consists of more tobacco than that required for one cigar, is subjected to the action of a knife III] which cuts through the filler tobacco and separates a thin charge from the same, which constitutes the filler for the cigar to be rolled. The knife III) not only has an advancing or sidewise motion, as the case may be, but also has an oscillating movement in a horizontal plane as it cuts through the tobacco. The motion imparted to the knife permits it to cut into the tobacco or move between the respective layers more easily and with less damage to the corrugated ends than a knife without this motion.

The oscillating movement of the knife II 0 (Figs. 3 and 4), is controlled by cam I05 having a track III engaging a roller II2 actuating a cam lever H3 fulcrumed on shaft I8, the upper end of lever H3 being attached to a rod II4 connecting to a slide bracket H5 mounted on a track H6 supported by a bracket II'I fastened to table 16. The upper flange IE8 of bracket I I 5 supports the knife arm I I9 which terminates in an open rectangular shaped frame 520, the cross web and extending arms ofthe same providing means for attaching knife HE. A steady cap IZI placed over the knife arm H9 is provided with shouldered bolts I22 passing through slots I 23, Fig. 5, in the arm and secured to the flange I I3. Due to the shouldered portion of said bolts, a clearance is maintained between cap I2I and flange I I8, permitting oscillating movement of the knife frame by means hereinafter described. Flange H8 is provided with arcuate slots I24 and I25 which engage and guide rollers I25 mounted on studs I21 suspended from the knife arm H9, which slots govern the path of travel of the knife.

The motion imparted to the knife is derived from a driven sprocket I36 slidably keyed on a shaft I3! having one end supported in a bracket I32 attached to table 35, and its other end supported in a bearing I33 of slide bracket H5. A bevel gear I 35 fixed on shaft I3! drives a bevel gear 535 secured to a vertical shaft I35 rotating in a hub I31 of bracket M5, the upper end of the shaft having a shoulder I38 ttuning in a counterbored portion provided in flange I I8 erving to support said shaft. The upper end of shaft iSii is provided with an eccentrically mounted crank pin I39 having a roller I ii! engaging in a slot IdI of knife arm I I9, which imparts oscillating motion to the arm and knife III].

The knife II in moving from its position shown in Fi 8, to that shown in Fig. 9, has severed and separated a, thin charge C from the filler supply T, thi separated charge containing the desired quantity of tobacco required for one cigar. The knife retains its position and a reaper or pusher I42 advances pushing the charge C from the elevator 38 into a cam actuated transfer pocket 843 (Fig. 10) which delivers the tobacco to the rolling apron of the machine, (Fig. 4).

Reaper It! (Figs. 3 and 4) at one end is attached to a lug M4 projecting from a slide bracket I45 mounted on a track I46 attached to a. bracket I41 fastened on table 16, its other end being supported by guide screw I48 secured to pedestal 29 as shown in Fig. l. The slide bracket I45 is moved to and fro by a cam lever I49 fulcrumed on shaft 19 and controlled by a cam I50 on shaft 33 having a cam track II engaging a follower I52.

The transfer pocket I43 at one end is attached to a bellcrank lever I53 pivotally mounted on a stud I54 in support I55, its other end being fastened to an arm I56 loosely mounted on a stud I51 in a support I58. The transfer is actuated by a cam lever I59 fulcrumed on shaft 18 and controlled by cam I50 having a cam track I60 engaging a roller I 6|. Cam lever I59 which is connected to bell-crank lever I53 by rod I62 moves the transfer pocket I43 from its horizontal or receiving station to its vertical or discharging station I63 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

The reaper I42 having fulfilled its duty of charging the transfer I43, retreats to its starting position and the transfer swings to its position I63 stopping against an adjustable screw I64. In this latter position the tobacco lodged in the transfer is acted upon by a plate I65 which in the illustrated embodiment is cam actuated and descends to expel the tobacco from transfer I43 into the rolling apron I66. One end of the apron is as usual secured to the delivery end of the table I61 and the other is attached to a slack adjusting device of well-known design and including a roller I68 carrying a sprocket I69 over which runs a chain I10. The chain is controlled by means disclosed in my Patent No. 1,442,200, issued January 16, 1923, hence in the interest of brevity a specific description of the same is deemed unnecessary.

A slide I1I which carries ejector plate I65 is mounted on a track I12 of a bracket I 19 fastened to table 16, the slide being moved up and down by a rod I14 connected to a cam lever I15 fulcrumed on shaft 18 and controlled by a cam I16 on shaft 33 having a cam track I11 engaging a roller I19. The ejector plate I65 is guided in its movement by a slotted portion I19 provided at the upper end of a bracket I80 attached to table 16.

Upon the retreat of reaper I42, the elevator 68 is lowered to its starting or loading position adjacent the filler feed-in belts I5, I6 and I1. At this time motion is imparted to the belts, thus advancing the filler layer onto the elevator, the knife I I0 during the elapsed period of time having retained its position shown in Fig. 11, ar-

resting the balance of the tobacco column T in a magazine I8I suspended from rods I82 protruding from pedestal 29. The knife I I0 retreats to its original position, and the slide 28 descends bringin the compressing members into contact with the tobacco, the measuring plate 66 in descending expels the tobacco from magazine I 0| onto the portion of the filler column about to be severed by the corrugated cutter. Inasmuch as each compressed charge contains more tobacco than that required for one cigar, a portion of each charge is left in the magazine, and as each forward movement of the feed-in belts delivers another surplus charge of tobacco, this excess tobacco will accumulate in the magazine. When the accumulated tobacco reaches a predetermined height in the magazine, a feed control device (not shown) but which may be of the same general type as that disclosed in U. S. application Serial No. 117,180 filed by John F. I-Ialstead, De-

cember 22, 1936, may be incorporated to stop the feed belts I5, I6 and I1. The belts remain motionless until the accumulated tobacco in the magazine ha been reduced to a minimum, whereupon the feed control is again engaged and imparts intermittent motion to the belts to ad- Vance the layer.

In Figs. 1 and 13 parts of a tobacco feed channel control suitable for cooperation with the control mechanism of the Halstead application has been illustrated. A yoke 226 fixed either to rod 1I (Fig. 1) or I61 (Fig. 13), projected through bracket 221, is provided with a roller 225 mounted on lever arm 224 suitably pivoted at 223 on the machine frame so that whenever an excess or a minimum of tobacco is present in the magazine, movement of plate 66 or I88, as the case may be, up or down causes vertical movement of rod 22I which is connected to the control mechanism for effecting the starting or stopping of the filler feed.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, a modified means of compressing the filler tobacco is disclosed. In this form the slide 28 is provided with arms I 85 having a cross web supporting a hub I86 guiding a rod I 81 carrying a measuring plate I88. The upper end of the rod is provided with a weight (not shown) similar to that shown in the modification of Fig. 1, which tends to urge the plate I88 downward, a rod I89 serving to guide the plate in its up and down movement. A pair of stationary bars I90 and I9I extending from the pedestal 29 support levers I92 and I93, respectively, which operate the side compressors I94 and I95. Levers I92 and I93 at their upper ends are equipped with rollers I96 engaging in tracks I91 provided in the brackets I98 and I99, which brackets being adjustably fastened to the arms I85, provide means for controlling the throw of levers I92 and I93, and consequently the lateral movement of compressors I94 and I95.

Elevator 68, which moves up and down between stationary guide walls 200 supported by brackets 220 suitably mounted on vertical support 2I9 fixed on the table of the machines, receives the filler tobacco when in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13, as the tobacco issues from the feed channel. As the elevator 60 rises, a filler length is severed from the layer of tobacco in the same manner as described hereinbefore. The bunch length upon reaching its uppermost position is further compressed by the floating plate I08, the slide 28 next ascends slightly, and in so doing lifts members I98 and I99 thereby causing rollers I96 of levers I92 and I 93, respectively, to be moved outwardly in the tracks 20I running at an angle with respect to the Vertical tracks I91. In this manner, the levers rock on their respective bars I90 and I9I, permitting the open end slots 202 at their lower ends which engage cross rods 203 to move the compressors I 94 and I inwardly against the filler tobacco T gathered in the vertical magazine formed by walls 200 to effect the lateral compression thereof. The base of the compressors I94 and I95 are solid so that this portion of each, compresses or will act upon and compress the lower portion of the tobacco column T to its desired density, this compressed portion being acted upon presently by knife IIO which severs a thin charge therefrom. The compressors move in a substantially straight path and are held in a vertical position by rollers 204 which engage in tracks 205 provided in the front and rear arms 296 fixed on the bars I99 and I9I. Rods 293 are supported by the front and rear side webs 291 of the compressors. The plate I88 is provided with slots 298, thereby providing the plate with a plurality of fingers which project through slots 209 of the compressors. The travel of floating plate I88 in a downward direction is governed by the vertical slots 299 in the compressor members I94 and I95, that is, the plate I89 will have as upper and. lower limits of movement, the top and base of the slots in the compressor plates I94 and I95. It will be apparent, therefore. that plate I88 will stop against the base of the slots when the elevator 68 descends to its loading position. The slots 209 are long enough to allow ample space for the lifting of plate I88 as the accumulated tobacco builds up a column in the magazine bounded by vertical walls 299.

The slide 28 during its further ascent guides the rollers I96 into the lower straight portions of cam tracks 29I, thus holding the compressors I94 and I95 in their innermost position, while the weighted plate I88 cooperates therewith to hold the tobacco T in its compressed state. Whenever a bunch charge of tobacco is to be cut and fed from the column, it is necessary to lift the compressor plates I94 and I95 ver-- tically in order that the knife I I9 may be moved forward to sever a charge from the column. In order to perform this operation, arms I85 have been provided with extension 2I2 which, adjacent their ends, mount pins 2II connected to slotted links 2I3, which links are pivotally Joined to the compressor members I94 and I95 (see Fig. 13). In order to insure that the compressors will be lifted vertically upward, open end slots 2I5 have been formed in the free ends of the webs of the compressor arms, which slots coact with pin 2 I4 mounted in the cam followers 294, which run in tracks 295 provided in the front and rear arms 2%. As a further aid in stabilizing the vertical movement of the compressor members, hub I85 has been provided with pin 2I6 which engages slots 2H in the compressor members. It will be apparent, therefore, that upward movement of the arms I85 will effect an upward movement of the compressor brackets away from the cutting zone of knife H9, and at the same time compressor members I94 and I95 will be held in compressing position. When an additional bunch length of tobacco is to be fed into the magazine, compressor members I94 and I95 are separated by reason of the fact that rollers I96 are then located in cam tracks I91.

The knife III] and reaper I42 in this form are actuated in the same manner as in the form previously described, that is, the knife separates a charge from the compressed tobacco which constitutes the filler for one cigar, and this charge is pushed into the transfer pocket I43 by the reaper I42. The building-up of the excess tobacco delivered with each charge, upon reaching a predetermined height, is taken care of in the same manner as previously described.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigar machine, the combination with mechanism for compacting a continuous layer of long filler tobacco, of means for cutting bunch lengths from said layer, means for elevating said lengths to the bottom of a vertical laminated column of tobacco, mechanism positioned opposite the sides of said column, means for moving said mechanism to compress said tobacco laterally, and means for cutting bunch charges from said column.

2. In a cigar machine, means for feeding a continuous layer of filler tobacco, means for cutting bunch lengths of tobacco from said layer, means for stacking said lengths from beneath to form a vertical column of tobacco, and mechanism for simultaneously compressing the entire column of said lengths both horizontally and vertically.

3. In a cigar machine, means for feeding a continuous layer of filler tobacco, means for cutting bunch lengths of tobacco from said layer, means for raising said lengths vertically and stacking said lengths from beneath to form a vertical column of tobacco, and mechanism for simultaneously compressing said lengths both horizontally and vertically after a length has been added to said column.

4. In a cigar machine, the combination with mechanism for advancing a continuous layer of filler tobacco, of means for severing bunch lengths from said layer, a plurality of members forming a magazine for said lengths, means for elevating successive lengths from beneath into said magazine while being severed to form a vertical column, means for simultaneously compressing the tobacco in said magazine both vertically and horizontally, and means for separating bunch charges from said column.

5. In a cigar machine, the combination with a tobacco filler feeding channel, and means for compacting tobacco in said channel into a continuous layer of substantially uniform density, of a yieldably mounted compressing member, a support forming a continuation of said channel and acting in opposition to said member for elevating lengths of. tobacco against said member to form a vertical column of tobacco, members movable into contact with the sides of said column for compressing it laterally, and a cutter movable at right angles to the Vertical axis of said column for removing bunch charges from said column.

6. In a cigar machine, the combination with a filler feeding channel to form a continuous layer of tobacco, of means for compacting tobacco in said channel, means for cutting bunch lengths from said layer, means forming said lengths from beneath into a vertical column, means holding said column under vertical compression, devices arranged to engage opposite sides of said column,- means for moving said devices to exert lateral compression thereon, a cutter moving at right angles to the vertical axis of said column for severing bunch charges therefrom, and means for ejecting cut charges from said column.

'7. In a cigar machine, the combination with a filler tobacco feeding channel, of a vertically reciprocating head, a compactor mounted upon said i head, for compacting tobacco in said channel,

a leaf guide connected to said compactor and actuated by the movement of said head for engaging said tobacco prior to its movement beneath said compactor, a lever mounted on said head, means connecting said guide and lever, and means located to be engaged by said lever during the downward movement of said head for effecting the movement of said guide into contact with said tobacco.

8. In a cigar machine, the combination with a filler feeding channel, of a vertically movable head, a compactor mounted on said head for compressing tobacco fed through said channel, means for yieldingly supporting said compactor on said head, a leaf guide hinged to said compactor, linkage connecting said guide to said head, and means arranged to be engaged by said linkage during the downward movement of said head for swinging said guide into contact with said tobacco.

9. In a cigar machine, the combination with a filler feeding channel, of a vertically movable head, a compactor mounted on said head for compressing tobacco fed through said channel, means for yieldingly supporting said compactor on said head, a leaf guide hinged to said compactor,1inkage connecting said head and said guide, means arranged to be engaged by said linkage during the movement of said compactor against said tobacco to swing said guide into contact with said tobacco, and means mounted on said compactor or forcing said guide upward and away from said tobacco upon the upward movement of said head.

10. In a cigar machine, the combination with a filler tobacco feeding channel, of a vertically reciprocating head, a compactor mounted upon said head, for compacting tobacco in said channel, a leaf guide connected to said compactor and actuated by the movement of said head for engaging said tobacco prior to its movement beneath said compactor, a lever mounted on said head, means connecting said guide and lever, means located to be engaged by said lever during the downward movement of said head for effecting the movement of said guide into contact with said tobacco, and means for controlling the pressure with which said guide is applied to said tobacco.

11. In a cigar machine, the combination with a plurality of belts defining a filler tobacco feeding channel, means operating in said channel to form bunch charges therefrom, said means comprising a stationary pedestal, a cross-head reciprocable in said pedestal, said cross head mounting a tobacco leaf guide, a compactor, a charge cutter knife, and a yieldingly supported measuring plate, all of which are arranged to engage the upper face of the layer of tobacco in said channel; a support forming a continuation of said channel located opposite said plate for engagement with the underface of said layer, a knife affixed to said support for cooperation with said charge cutter knife, and means for elevating said support to cause said knife affixed thereto to sever a bunch length of tobacco from said layer.

12. In a cigar machine, the combination with a plurality of belts defining a filler feeding channel adapted to feed a layer of tobacco, means operating in said channel to form bunch charges therefrom, said means comprising a pedestal, a cross-head slidably mounted in said pedestal, said cross-head including a tobacco pre-compacting device, a yieldingly mounted compactor, a charge cutter knife, and a yieldingly mounted measuring member arranged to engage the upper face of said layer, a support forming a continuation of said channel and located to engage the undersurface of said layer, mechanism for forming a vertical column of superimposed charges of tobacco between said member and support including a knife mounted on said support, means for moving said support and knife vertically upward to cooperate with said first-named knife to sever bunch lengths of tobacco from said layer, and a horizontally reciprocating knife operating at right angles to the direction of movement of said support for separating bunch charges of tobacco from said column.

13. In a cigar machine, means for cutting bunch lengths of tobacco from a continuous layer of filler tobacco, opposed magazine forming members arranged to receive said lengths and form therefrom a vertical laminated column, said cutting means and magazine forming members cooperating to add successively cut lengths to said column, means for compressing said column laterally, comprising presser bars, means for moving said bars against opposite sides of said column, means for withdrawing said bars, and means for subsequently cutting a bunch charge from said column.

14. In a cigar machine, a filler feeding channel, mechanism for advancing a continuous layer of filler tobacco in said channel, means for compacting said layer of tobacco moving in said channel, said means including a movable support for said layer forming a part of said channel, and a member adapted to bear against the top surface of said layer, a cutter mounted above said layer, a knife mounted on said support, means for moving said support upward to cause said knife to co-operate with said cutter to cut bunch lengths of tobacco from said layer and compact said bunch lengths successively, and connections whereby said filler advancing mechanism and the several instrumentalities comprised in said compacting and cutting means are co0rdinated in timed relation to deliver said compacted bunch lengths for the intended purpose.

15. In a cigar machine, the combination with mechanism for forming a vertical column of laminated layers of tobacco cut to bunch length, of members constructed and arranged to engage the sides of said column, means for moving said members to compress said column, and a device for cutting bunch charges of tobacco from said column.

16. In a cigar machine, the combination with mechanism for forming a vertical column of laminated layers of tobacco cut to bunch length, said mechanism including a floating member engaging the top of said column, means for elevating bunch lengths into engagement with the bottom of said column and thereby compacting the same, a knife for cutting bunch layers of tobacco from the lower end of the compacted column, means for ejecting the cut-layers from said column, and a. device for actuating said knife to cut the bunch layers and support the remainder of the column during the ejection of the cut layers and the elevation of the bunch lengths.

17. In a cigar machine, having mechanism for advancing a continuous layer of long filler tobacco, means for severing bunch lengths from said layer, a plurality of members forming a magazine for said lengths, and means for elevating successive lengths from beneath into said magazine while being severed to form a vertical laminated column of long filler lengths; a device movable at right angles to the vertical axis of said column for cutting bunch charges from said column, said device comprising a horizontally reing a vertical column of laminated layers of to- 10 bacco, mechanism for severing bunch charges from said column including a knife, a support for said knife, means for oscillating said knife bodily in an arcuate horizontal path intersecting said column during its cutting operation, and means for moving said knife support forward in a hori zontal path to carry said knife horizontally into charge cutting position.

VERNER J. WAHLSTROM. 

